Sears Tower, Willis Tower, does it really matter?
July 21st, 2009 categories: Chicago Info/News, Chicago News, Chicago Real Estate News, Real Estate News
I remember when Marshall Field’s officially became Macy’s. Some Chicagoans reacted as if the New York department store chain had just bulldozed Wrigley Field. Protestors lined the sidewalks outside the flagship Marshall Field’s on State Street in downtown Chicago demanding that Macy’s bring back the Field’s name.
Well, Macy’s hasn’t. And life has gone on. In fact, I imagine most Chicagoans still refer to the hulking store on State Street as Marshall Field’s, just like many White Sox fans still think of U.S. Cellular Field as Comiskey Park.
In other words, the uproar over Macy’s name change was much ado about nothing. That’s how I feel, too, about the iconic Sears Tower becoming Willis Tower.
Crain’s Chicago Business ran a story last week about the big name change. Last Thursday, the 110-story skyscraper was officially renamed Willis Tower. Again, some are acting as if Chicago suffered a second Great Fire.
Here’s the truth: I still think of the skyscraper as Sears Tower. Most Chicagoans still think of it as Sears Tower. The odds are against this changing any time soon.
And really, Chicagoans have bigger worries if they’re in the mood to fret. We’re still dealing with a sluggish new-housing market in the city. The city of Chicago is cutting services, and threatening to cut more, because of a significant budget shortfall. And there are very real concerns that if Chicago gets the 2016 Olympics, local taxpayers will end up footing a hefty portion of the bill should the event lose money.
Of course, there are plenty of things to be excited about in the city now, too. Housing sales and prices have gone up during the last four months. If Chicago does get the 2016 Olympics, it will bring even more attention to the city. The public improvements the city is taking on in preparation of the Olympics might boost housing values in several neighborhoods.
On top of all this, Chicago is still a great place to live, with loads of entertainment, shopping and dining options.
Get mad about Sears Tower becoming Willis Tower if you like. Just don’t forget that it probably won’t make much of a difference in anyone’s daily life.
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The fact Willis asked for $3.5 million TIF from the City of Chicago just so that they could move into the the tower makes a difference in people’s daily life. The New York-based firm claims they’re doing great things for Chicago. Yet they need taxpayers to subsidize the move into Sears Tower because they can’t afford the exorbitant build-out costs. Then to show their appreciation for the generous incentive, they change the name with absolutely no regard for whether Chicagoans like it or not. Yes, that says a lot about their arrogance.
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I agree with you completely. Why didn’t they change “his” name as soon as Sears sold “him”? Really dumb.